Funerals within our Benefice

The Church if England is here for everyone whether they regularly attend Church or not. Here in all the Churches of the Orwell and Deben Rural Benefice we are happy conduct the funeral service for anyone who wishes to hold a service in our ancient and reverent buildings, our clergy are also willing to conduct crematorium services.

As you would expect our clergy can only conduct funerals that are Christian in format but you will find we are very willing to work with your funeral director to make your loved ones funeral as much like your wishes as we can. We can provide all the things you would expect in a Church for example, organ or recorded music, simply ask about what you would like.

Our Churchyard is open for burials or interments of ashes for those who have lived in our parishes or have a significant connection with them.

You can find out more about funerals in the Church of England here but please feel free to contact the Rector directly to discuss your requirements or ask your chosen funeral director to do so.

We regret that it is not possible for clergy of other denominations to conduct services in any of our churches.

Permits to introduce monuments into any of the Churchyards in our benefice

You need permission to introduce any sort of monument into a churchyard. The type of monuments that are allowed are gverned by the churchyard regulations which can be found on the website of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. Once you have settled on your design you will also need to instruct your stonemason to submit form CR1 in duplicate hard copy to the Rector accompanied by the appropriate fee. Once permission has been granted you may arrange for the monument to be installed. You should be aware that if the monument (including marker stones for interments of ashes) does not comply with Churchyard regulations permission cannot be granted.